AK: Why do you want to fight a MMA fighter? And why in the USA and not in Japan?

JLB: Actually I just want his sunglasses (laughs). No seriously, I love UFC, the USA and MMA. I’ve been paying more attention to MMA lately and I’d like to fight under these rules more often. I liked the ground training with Dean Lister and I’d really like to keep on improving. For my fight against Karaev at K1 New Year’s Eve, it was the first time I trained seriously on the ground. And I must say I liked it. Against Karaev I didn’t only try to survive on my back, waiting to go back on my feet. Ok my takedown attempt was pathetic… but it was the first one in my life!

AK: Why Tim Sylvia?

JLB: Sunglasses are my weakness. (laughs)

AK: Ok so you want to fight him to get his sunglasses?

JLB: Yeah if I win he should give them to me, it should be in the contract. Seriously now. Tim Sylvia is a great fighter in the USA, he’s considered as the n°2 UFC heavyweight and fans often say that he’s a good striker. I often read on forums “Sylvia is a deadly striker”. I’d like to show american fans what a deadly striker really is (laughs). I don’t have anything against Sylvia and he has all my respect. However I think I can beat him… even in MMA.

AK: So you want to fight for UFC? Does it mean you’d leave K-1?

JLB: No, not at all! I don’t want to leave K-1. I always hear about organizations exchanging fighters and it doesn’t happen too often. So here’s the deal: 2 fights, Tim Sylvia fights me in Japan under K-1 rules and I give him a rematch in the octagon.

AK: That’s a great idea. Do you think both companies and Sylvia will accept?

JLB: I challenged Sylvia, now it’s up to him. Does he accept to fight me? K-1 rules should suit him as he’s a deadly striker and I don’t have any problems with fighting him under MMA rules. Furthermore it’d be great for UFC’s exposition in Japan and vice-versa… Everybody can get something out of it.

AK : Thanks a lot Jerome, we hope that Tim Sylvia will accept the challenge !

JLB : You are welcome, I hope he will accept ! We keep in touch with my new official site www.jerome-le-banner.com. 2006, will be a very very busy year for me !